Design and characterization of AmLi neutron sources for the LZ experiment

Abstract

In this paper we describe the development, testing, and characterization of three lowemission rate AmLi neutron sources. The sources are used to calibrate the nuclear recoil response of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter experiment. The sources' neutron emission rate was measured using 3 He proportional tubes. The sources' gamma emissions were characterized using a HPGe detector. Source validated G 4 Monte Carlo simulations allowed to calibrate the Ge and neutron detector responses.